handicapped 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of handicappednext
as in hindered

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

handicapped

2 of 2

verb

past tense of handicap
as in hampered
to create difficulty for the work or activity of the baseball player's small size did not handicap him in the least

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of handicapped
Adjective
Ramsey County deputies also were responsible for traffic control on Rice Street between Aurora Avenue and Interstate 94, and for a parking ramp used that day for parking for people with handicapped placards, Fletcher said. — Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 20 May 2026 Catalina suffers from an unspecified mental disability, which Saavedra, who is not handicapped, performs in an arguably inappropriate register of fidgety hands and shifty-eyed glances. — Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 16 May 2026
Verb
Some severely bad picks and process in the first round have handicapped the Packers’ ceiling tremendously. — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026 For many Chinese who have plowed their savings into real estate, the market’s collapse handicapped their ability to spend, driving down overall demand. — John Liu, CNN Money, 11 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for handicapped
Recent Examples of Synonyms for handicapped
  1. encumbered
  2. hampered
  3. hindered
  4. impeded
  5. embarrassed
  6. obstructed
Adjective
  • Now Democrats have a chance to replace Platner with a new candidate—someone who is, perhaps, less encumbered—and redouble their efforts to flip Collins’s seat.
    — Elaine Godfrey, The Atlantic, 9 July 2026
Definition of encumbered
Verb
  • Last season was hampered by an injury to starter Drew Allar, but Penn State has had more than eight passes over 40 yards, in a season, one time in the last six years.
    — The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Fiske is at full strength after being hampered last season by a knee injury sustained at the end of his rookie year.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of hampered
Verb
  • Ben Simmons, a former All-Star whose career has been hindered by injuries and mental health issues, is returning to the NBA as a member of the Sacramento Kings.
    — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The new decree also implements other significant changes that had already been announced, including allowing the creation of private farming businesses, a restriction that has hindered food production on the island.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of hindered
Verb
  • People in crisis incarcerated in Joliet have set over 60 fires since summer 2024, including eight cases of self-immolation and, after guards impeded access to lifesaving care, at least one death.
    — Joan Steffen, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Kupor, head of the government’s chief human resources agency since July 2025, has publicly argued even jobs conducive to remote work can be impeded by working from home.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of impeded
Verb
  • The disclosure embarrassed senior officials, led to White House aide Scooter Libby’s conviction for perjury, later commuted, and drew intense political scrutiny.
    — Brian O'Neill, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Clemson The Tigers were embarrassed by LSU in their season opener, but a lack of talent had nothing to do with it.
    — Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of embarrassed
Verb
  • Yoon has defended his action, calling it a desperate attempt to draw public support for his fight against the liberal opposition Democratic Party that obstructed his agenda.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Fake, obstructed, and missing plates are a major concern with cars and undoubtedly would be with MMVs.
    — Richard Robbins, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of obstructed

Browse Nearby Words

handicap
handicapped
handicapper
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Handicapped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/handicapped. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of patina

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All